Frisco, TX – FC Dallas midfielder David Ferreira will undergo surgery Tuesday to repair a fracture in his right foot and will be sidelined six to eight weeks, the Major League Soccer club announced.
The 32-year-old Ferreira had eight goals and 13 assists to win MLS MVP in 2010 and had three goals and an assist last year in six games before a severe ankle injury ended his season.
Ferreira had not played this season for Dallas, but his previous ankle injury had completely healed, according to the club. He suffered the new injury while training in Florida.
"David injured his right foot during a training match in Florida. This is an unfortunate, un-related injury to the one he suffered last season," said Dr. James C Walter II, MD, Dallas' team doctor. "This fracture is in a bone in the back of the foot that is prone to injury in soccer players and dancers.
"It causes pain with both running and kicking. While the pain usually resolves with rest and rehab, David has failed to progress satisfactorily. He and the team have elected to proceed with surgical excision of the problematic bone."
FC Dallas coach Schellas Hyndman acknowledged surgery was the best option for his star midfielder. Ferreira could return for a trip to the Houston Dynamo on June 16, barring any setbacks.
"David's injury hasn't responded to treatment the way we expected," Hyndman said. "He went back to the doctor for additional tests and got second and third opinions to be sure he chose the best path to recovery for him.
"We feel confident this is the best way to get David 100 percent back to the field."
Dallas (1-2-1) has one win after four matches this season, and hosts the New England Revolution on Thursday.